NEW ORLEANS – Oklahoma Baptist cross country is ranked sixth in the Central Region, according to the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association's (USTFCCCA) preseason poll released this week.
The ranking is the highest in program history for the Bison, who are one of three squads from the Great American Conference ranked in the top 10.
Joining OBU in the regional top-10 are East Central (third) and Harding (seventh).
OBU finished last season ranked eighth in the Central Region and finished seventh at the NCAA Central Region meet, en route to its first appearance in the NCAA Division II National Championships.
Oklahoma Baptist is set to begin the 2026 season at the Rogers State Distance After Dark on Thursday, Sept. at 10:30 p.m.
The meet was slated for 8 p.m., but was pushed back due to a heat advisory.
The Bison are scheduled to run four regular-season meets in advance of the GAC Championships, set for Nov. 7 in Enid.
2026 USTFCCCA Central Region Men's Cross Country Ranklings | Preseason
| Rk |
School |
Conf. |
Prev. |
| 1 |
Augustana (S.D.) |
NSIC |
4 |
| 2 |
Washburn |
MIAA |
- |
| 3 |
Pittsburg State |
MIAA |
1 |
| 4 |
East Central |
GAC |
1 |
| 5 |
Nebraska-Kearney |
MIAA |
1 |
| 6 |
Oklahoma Baptist |
GAC |
1 |
| 7 |
Harding |
GAC |
2 |
| 8 |
Missouri Southern |
MIAA |
- |
| 9 |
Northwest Missouri |
MIAA |
8 |
| 10 |
Fort Hays State |
MIAA |
- |
